Portraiture Lighting Workshop

WHAT EXPERIENCE LEVEL DO I NEED TO BE TO JOIN THE WORKSHOP?. . .

The workshops are open to all levels and types of photographers – we only ask that you are engaged, willing to learn and understand the basics of how to use your camera in manual mode. These workshops aren’t just for Portrait and Headshot photographers. In fact, we get a lot of wedding and product photographers on these courses looking to add high end Headshots and Portraiture to their services. This class is also designed for individuals who seek to expand their skill set into proper beauty retouching.

WHAT DOES THE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE ON THE DAY OF THE WORKSHOP?. . .

The schedule for each workshop day can vary – usually our photo-shoot days start with an introduction, a business seminar and breakfast, followed by working on set, lunch and then continuing to shoot and review as the day ends. Our days usually start at 8.30AM and finish at 6.00PM. If it’s a two day workshop the second event will start with an introduction and breakfast, followed by a retouching seminar, lunch then the retouching session which will be a few hours long. You can find more details about individual course content and times on the workshop booking page.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BRING?. . .

We recommend you bring a digital SLR, a couple of lenses for variety (I personally recommend bringing either a 24-70mm lens, a 24-105mm lens or a couple of primes such as the 50mm 1.4, the 85mm 1.2 or the 100mm 2.8). Please also bring a few memory cards, a spare battery and your portfolio (this can be an iPad, printed portfolio or on your laptop! If you are joining a retouching session you will be required to bring a laptop to follow along as well as your Wacom Tablet if you own one, it is not mandatory but highly recommended. Additional information about equipment will be emailed to students before the workshop.

IS ACCOMMODATION/TRAVEL COSTS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE WORKSHOP?. . .

The listed workshop fee only covers the workshop only (unless stated). You will be responsible for booking your own accommodation and travel. However, If you need recommendations or assistance we'll be happy to help you!

IS MY FEE REFUNDABLE?. . .

We understand that sometimes unexpected changes happen so we try to be as flexible as possible with cancellations. We need to be notified of your cancellation as soon as possible – if you decide to cancel 4 weeks before the workshop then the full fee is refundable, this gives us time to give someone else the space. If you cancel under the 4 weeks window then 50% of your fee is non-refundable. However, we do allow the deposit to be used as credit towards another workshop if you wish to do so (this credit has to be used within one year of the original workshop date). Please read the T&C page for our policy on refunds & cancellations.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU (AS THE INSTRUCTOR) CANCEL A WORKSHOP EVENT?. . .

We rarely have to cancel events but if this were to happen we would notify you as soon as possible, and either refund you the deposit or credit it towards a future event. We are not responsible for refunding travel or accommodation fees.

WHAT LANGUAGE WILL THE WORKSHOP BE HELD IN?. . .

Every workshop will mainly be held in English. In addition to English, Daniel Sommer speaks fluently German and French. Should your workshop be held in a German / French speaking country, Daniel and his team will be able to assist in the local language. With that being said a basic knowledge of English is a must before attending one of our workshops.

HOW MANY OTHER STUDENTS WILL THERE BE?. . .

We try and keep the groups as small as possible, usually the groups are around 8-12 students only. If it’s a bigger workshop event, we may raise the amount of photographers able to attend but we always state this in the on the event’s description so you know what you are signing up for. The attendees are split into smaller groups on workshop days so there’s usually only 4-6 people working in one group at one time – this allows more individual time on set.

WHAT ARE THE USAGE TERMS OF THE IMAGES WE TAKE ON THE WORKSHOP?. . .

The images taken by each individual are for non-commercial use only – you are allowed to use the images for your printed portfolio, websites and on your social media channels. Any commercial usage (print sales, exhibitions etc) need to be cleared before use with Daniel Sommer so there is clearance with the model agency. If you have any concerns about this before joining or after the course please contact me.

DO YOU SEND ANY RESEARCH MATERIAL AFTER THE EVENT? CAN I GET A COPY OF THE KEYNOTE/PRESENTATION?. . .

We do send some follow up documents after the event - workshop resources and also basic retouching workflow notes. We encourage attendees to make as many notes as possible to get the best experience out of the event. We unfortunately don't send out our keynotes or presentations.

IS THERE ANY SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE AND/OR CAN I GET A CERTIFICATE FOR THE WORKSHOPS?. . .

Unfortunately at this time we don’t offer scholarships. Since this is an independently run workshop we do not offer certificates.